Mumbai Indians are one team that know not only how to win big games, but also to rise like a phoenix when seemingly in a hopeless position. Known to be slow starters in the IPL, they have the knack of recovering to make a strong comeback and also go on to win the title. It has been a similar case for them in the ongoing tournament. They were on the verge of being knocked out, but with a resolute display, especially after the entry of fit-again Jasprit Bumrah, they are now just a couple of wins away from securing their sixth IPL title. 

MI’s winning culture

After MI defeated Gujarat Titans by 20 runs in the Eliminator here on Friday night to make it to the Qualifier 2, their head coach, Mahela Jayawardene, was asked at the media interaction what made the team so strong when up against the wall. The former Sri Lankan captain put it to the core group of experienced players and the winning culture they passed on to the younger generation. “Well, when you have a winning culture, it is easier to try and have that same thing going through [year after year]. Even when we got a new group, we still have a very experienced core group within our ranks. So, the conversations that we have are on how we can get better? How can we push through? That winning mentality itself comes through from these senior players and having that experience, guys who have won trophies do help and my job is to try and cultivate that for the new guys who are in the side.”

Mahela Jayawardene